Former Nigeria junior international, Taiwo Oloyede, has urged the Flying Eagles to draw inspiration from the country’s outing at the 1987 FIFA U-20 World Cup as they prepare for this year’s edition.
Oloyede, who was part of Nigeria’s youth setup in the 1980s, recalled the team’s exploits at the tournament hosted in Chile, stressing that the lessons from that campaign should motivate the current generation.
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“In 1987, nobody gave us a chance, but we showed character and played with pride,” Oloyede said. “That memory should serve as a reminder to these boys that history can always be rewritten with determination.”
He pointed out that many of the current U-20 players are relatively unknown, but insisted that this should not discourage them. “A lot of the players in the squad may be unseen or unheard of, but that is not a disadvantage,” he explained. “In fact, it can be a strength because they have nothing to lose and everything to prove.”
The ex-youth international also encouraged the players to seize the opportunity to showcase themselves to the world. “The World Cup stage is where legends are born. Some of the biggest names in Nigerian football started from here. This team must see it as their chance to write their own story,” he added.
Oloyede extended his best wishes to the squad, urging them to blend discipline with belief. “Football at this level is about mentality as much as skill,” he said. “If they play as a unit and never give up, I believe they can go further than people expect.”
He concluded by calling on fans and the federation to back the team fully. “These young boys need our support, both on and off the pitch. With everyone behind them, they can achieve something special,” Oloyede stated
